Thanh Thai Nguyen

Thomas Thanh Thai Nguyen (born April 7, 1953) is a Vietnamese American Catholic prelate who serves as an auxiliary bishop and vicar general for the Diocese of Orange in California.

Biography Early life, emigration, and education The second in a family of eight boys and three girls, Nguyễn Thái Thành was born on April 7, 1953, in Nha Trang in what was then French Indochina. At age 13, he joined the Saint Joseph Congregation of Nha Trang and professed first vows eight years later. He attended Saint Joseph Major Seminary

His seminary formation was interrupted in 1975 after the Fall of Saigon, both by the abolition of his Congregation by the Communist govenrment and the forced labor he and other seminarians had to endure to continue their formation.

Eventually, Nguyen and his family moved to Hartford, Connecticut and he worked for Catholic Charities there while enrolled at Hartford State Technical College.

Priesthood On May 11, 1991, During the diocesan press conference, he recalled that on September 27, he received a phone call from Archbishop Christophe Pierre, Apostolic Nuncio to the United States, who announced to him about his new role. Nguyen responded, saying he needed thirty minutes to call back, and Pierre agreed on the condition that he accepted the appointment. Nguyen was left "stunned and shaken" by the news. However, he accepted, and Bishop Kevin Vann of Orange then reached out to Nguyen and assisted him in his transition to California.

Bishop Dominic Mai Luong, who was the first Vietnamese auxiliary bishop of Orange, was believed by many, including Nguyen, to be his predecessor in many respects, and that "the torch was passed" from him to Nguyen. Mai was to be one of Nguyen's co-consecrators, but died on December 6, just a few weeks before the Mass. Also present at the Mass were Cardinals Roger Mahony and William Levada, as well as clergy from around the globe, which included some from Saint Joseph Seminary in Vietnam.

As auxiliary bishop, Nguyen additionally serves jointly with Timothy Edward Freyer as vicar general of the diocese.

Personal life Nguyen has a passion for music and can play guitar. He is also an avid tennis player, and immediately signed up for a gym membership upon arriving in Orange. Nguyen is also an honoree of the Order of the Holy Sepulchre, which was awarded to him by the Pope. The insignia of the papal order is also present on his coat of arms.